New Ohio drivers license will come with federally compliant 'Safe ID'

Dayton, Ohio (WDTN) - Ohio residents will see changes on their drivers license when new security measures start to take effect this year.

Ohio will offer the new driver license and state identification card beginning with the release of the federally compliant "Ohio's Safe ID", according to the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV).

The new licenses and ID cards will be compliant with the federal Real ID Act of 2005, and can be accepted by the federal government for "official" purposes.

"Official" purposes are defined by Federal Homeland Security as being accepted for boarding commercially operated airlines, and entering federal buildings.

According to the BMV, on December 1, 2014, federal agencies will no longer accept state driver licenses or identification cards for "official" purposes from individuals born after December 1, 1964, unless they are Real ID compliant.

Over the next four years, Ohio will continue to offer "legacy" (traditional/current) driver licenses and ID cards for renewals.  However, all new cards issued during that time will be the Ohio Safe ID.

Starting Dec. 1, 2017, the legacy driver licenses and state ID cards will no longer be available, and only Ohio's Ohio's Safe ID will be issued.

The new design will allow for easy recognition of an Ohio's Safe ID and will be distinctly different in design, look and feel from the traditional license.